Teens barred from United Airlines flight for wearing leggings

Two teenage girls were told on Sunday they needed to change out of their leggings if they wanted to board a United Airlines flight at the Denver airport, according to the Associated Press.

The young women were barred by a gate agent from getting on a Minneapolis-bound flight.

They were flying using an employee travel pass that spells out a dress code for those using it, said United spokesman Jonathan Guerin, according to the AP.

According to that dress code, Lycra pants and spandex are not allowed.

The teens changed their clothing and took another flight, the AP said.

The legging issue spread quickly on social media Sunday and sparked a backlash against the airline.

Airport passenger Shannon Watts began tweeting about the incident as it happened, telling the New York Times later Sunday that she'd noticed two teen girls who were visibly upset leaving the gate next to hers.